Wednesday 10th September





BUILD SMARTER: A PRACTICAL WORKSHOP ON THE BUILDING ADMINISTRATION GUIDE (Members only)
12pm-3pm
Register on OFFSITE (login required)

MASTER BUILDERS AGM (Members only)
4pm-5pm

Thursday 11th September


7.00am - 8.30am



7.30am - 5.30pm

REGISTRATION OPENS
Coffee available from 7:00am


INNOVATION SHOWCASE

8.30am – 9.10am

CONSTRUCTIVE FORUM WELCOME & OPENING
Mihi whakatau

9.10am – 9.55am

IN CONVERSATION WITH GOVERNMENT: THE FUTURE OF BUILDING AND HOUSING
Join the Ministers for Housing & Infrastructure and Building & Construction as they outline their priorities for the sector. They will also take your questions on what’s next for the built environment.
- Hon Chris Bishop
- Hon Chris Penk  

9.55am – 10.25am

STATE OF THE SECTOR – OUR ANNUAL STOCKTAKE OF THE SECTOR
Our annual deep dive into the perspectives of industry professionals and recent homeowners - what’s shaping sentiment, what regulation is shifting, and how the building experience measures up to expectations.
- Ankit Sharma in conversation with Jehan

10.25am – 10.55am

OPPOSITION OUTLOOK
Hear directly from the Leader of the Opposition on Labour’s vision for New Zealand’s building and housing sector, including policy priorities and the path they would chart for the future.
- Rt Hon Chris Hipkins
- Arena Williams

10.55am – 11.15am

POWERING SMARTER BUILDING THROUGH PRACTICAL INNOVATION 
AI is transforming industries everywhere, and commercial construction is next. This energising session will show why AI matters, what makes it so powerful, and why every builder should be paying attention. It will highlight how generative AI can unlock smarter ways of working, boost productivity, and reshape decision-making. 
- Scott McLiver, PWC 
- Ankit Sharma, Master Builders

11:15am - 11:35am
MORNING TEA
11:35am - 12:15pm 

BREAKOUT SESSION 1

BEYOND NEW: BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO EXISTING SPACES
- Commercial construction focus
While new builds often steal the spotlight, the future lies in reimagining what we already have. This session explores how commercial retrofits can deliver cost-effective, sustainable solutions -featuring leaders behind the reinvention of some of New Zealand’s most iconic buildings.
- Brett Russell, the Russell Group  
- Michael Mason, WAM 
- Emma Foulkes, Naylor Love 

SMART MARKETING FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS
- Residential focus
Effective marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This session shares top tips for using social media to grow your residential building business—plus, how to leverage the Master Builders brand to boost visibility, credibility, and customer confidence.
- Jodine McIntyre: Social Smarty  
- Des Nash, Acumen 

CONTRACTS 101: SETTING EXPECTATIONS AND HANDLING
THE HARD CONVERSATIONS 
- Residential focus
In a competitive market, getting the contract right is more important than ever.
This session breaks down the fundamentals - from deposits to price escalation -
and offers practical advice on managing customer expectations and navigating
conflict with confidence and professionalism. 
- Mark Holland, Hazelton Law 

5 mins to move between spaces

12:20pm - 1:00pm

BREAKOUT SESSION 2

GETTING STARTED WITH AI: REAL USE CASES FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDERS 
- Commerical focus
This is a practical, no-jargon session designed to give commercial builders a
clear starting point with AI. Attendees will come away with a step-by-step guide
on how to get started, supported by real-world examples of how AI is already
being applied across the sector. The session will cover: 
· What AI is and how it works – explained in simple, practical terms. 
· How it’s being used today – proven use cases from commercial construction. 
· Where to start – from crafting a smart strategy and setting guardrails to training your team the right way. 
- Mark Russell, PwC
- Kayur Patel, PwC

UNDERSTANDING THE MASTER BUILD GUARANTEE
- Residential focus
Session targeting new Master Builders explaining the Master Build Guarantee and how to discuss it with your customers. 
- Kirsty Forman, Master Builders
- Marco Wang, J Living

SAFETY BLIND SPOTS: AVOIDING THE COSTLIEST MISTAKES ON SITE
- Cross-sector focus
Construction is one of the highest-risk professions in New Zealand – yet even the most experienced managers can’t be across every detail, every day. Learn from real-world examples and discover the practical steps that can keep your people safe, your projects on track, and your business protected.
- Brett Murray, Site Safe

1:00pm - 2:00pm 

LUNCH

2.10pm – 3.10pm

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE: CAN INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING EVER BE TRULY BIPARTISAN?
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key shares insights on the elusive goal of bipartisan infrastructure planning - what it takes, why it matters, and how the sector can help push politics towards long-term solutions. Interview led by MC Jehan Casinader.

3.10pm – 3.30pm
RAISING THE BAR ON FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Introducing FINZscore, a new voluntary financial rating developed by Master Builders and CreditWorks. FINZscore helps builders stand out, build trust, and unlock better business terms through proven financial strength.
- Ankit Sharma, Master Builders
- Ronnie Tan, CreditWorks
15 mins to move between spaces
3.45pm – 4.15pm 

BREAKOUT SESSION 3

SMARTER CONTRACTING:
STOPPING BAD BEHAVIOURS BEFORE THEY START
- Commercial construction focus
Procurement continues to challenge the sector, but smarter contracting is possible.
A year after the launch of the Good Contracting Guide, this session reflects on
what’s working, where risks are still being mismanaged, and the lessons that can
drive fairer, more effective commercial procurement.
- Mark Holland, Hazelton Law  
- Darrell Trigg, Trigg Construction  
- Jeff McHardy, LT McGuinness 

BETTER CONSENTING: USING DIGITAL TOOLS TO DRIVE QUALITY
- Residential focus
The move to virtual consenting is streamlining approvals - but the potential goes further.
This session explores how tools like the Artisan app are helping businesses lift build quality,
offering a smarter way to manage compliance, assurance and efficiency all in one.
- Claire Falck, BRANZ
- Aidan Jury, Jennian Homes

ATTRACTING AND KEEPING TALENT IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY
- Cross-sector focus
As the talent crunch continues, the sector must focus on more than recruitment.
This session explores how to showcase the diverse, rewarding careers in construction.
We look at how to retain great people by fostering strong culture, career development,
and a multigenerational workforce that thrives.
- Pamela Bell, Building Institute Aotearoa 
- Kalyn (KP) Ponti, Humankind 
- Greg Durkin, BCITO 

4.15pm – 4.35pm

AFTERNOON TEA

4.40pm – 5.20pm

PANEL
DENSITY DONE RIGHT: RETHINKING URBAN GROWTH FOR AOTEAROA 
What does good densification actually look like in New Zealand? This session tackles the tensions and trade-offs of going up, not out – and how we can get it right for our cities, communities, and future.
- Raphaela Rose: Architect  
- Willis Bond  

5.20pm – 5.25pm 

END OF DAY 1 

Summary and close for the day

6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
CONSTRUCTIVE FORUM NETWORKING DINNER
6:30pm - Networking drinks
7:00pm - Seated dinner

Location: Aotea Centre, Level 5 Balcony Foyer
Dress code: Smart business/cocktail attire